Organic electro-luminescence display and process of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

An organic electro-luminescence display is disclosed. The organic electro-luminescence display comprises a substrate, a plurality of organic electro-luminescence devices, a patterned separator structure, a passivation layer and a plurality of color filters. Wherein, the organic electro-luminescence devices are disposed over the substrate. The patterned separator structure is disposed over the substrate to separate the organic electro-luminescence devices. The thickness of the patterned separator structure is greater than that of the organic electro-luminescence devices. The passivation layer completely covers the patterned separator structure and the organic electro-luminescence devices to separate the organic electro-luminescence devices from the color filters. The color filters are disposed on the passivation layer and are located above the organic electro-luminescence devices for colorful display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an organic electro-luminescence display(OELD) and process of fabricating the same. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to an organic electro-luminescence display andprocess of fabricating the same utilizing a color filter formed over anorganic electro-luminescence device.

2. Description of Related Art

Panel displays serve as a communication interface between human andinformation, and the flat panel display is the leading trend. Wherein,the organic electro-luminescence display apparatus, with advantages suchas self-luminescence, wide view angle, low power consumption, simplemanufacturing process, low cost, low work temperature range, highresponsive speed and full colors, has a great potential of becoming themainstream flat panel display product in its next generation.

The organic electro-luminescence display utilizes the self-luminescencecharacteristic of the organic luminescent materials to achieve thedisplay purpose. The emission structure of the organicelectro-luminescence display is mainly composed of a pair of electrodesand an organic functional material layer. The emission mechanism of theorganic electro-luminescence display works by currents flowing throughthe anode and the cathode, and electrons and holes meeting in theorganic functional material layer to emit excitions. Thereby, theorganic functional material layer with the emission mechanism will emitdifferent colors according to the characteristics of its materials.

Because the life spans of the conventional organic luminescent materialsare inconsistent, their applicability is limited. For instance, due tothe different life spans of the red, green and blue organic luminescentmaterials, the colors fade away in different timing and thus the huesbecome unbalanced. In order to avoid the inconsistency of organicluminescent materials, researchers have developed an emission structurecombining organic electro-luminescence devices and color filters toutilize a single-colored organic luminescent material in a singledisplay apparatus.

However, the emission structure, combining the organicelectro-luminescence devices and the color filters, may incur anotherproblem. A solvent must be used when fabricating the color filters, butthe solvent can damage the organic electro-luminescence devices formedover the substrate. The conventional solution is to form the colorfilters over the substrate after the organic electro-luminescencedevices formed over the substrate are sealed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conventional back emission organicelectro-luminescence display. As shown in FIG. 1, the organicelectro-luminescence display 100 comprises a color filter glass 110, asubstrate 120, a covering substrate 130, a plurality of sealants 140, aplurality of patterned separator structures 150, a plurality of organicelectro-luminescence devices 160, and a plurality of color filters 170.Because the solvent, used when fabricating the color filters 170, candamage the organic electro-luminescence devices 160, the organicelectro-luminescence devices 160 and the color filters 170 arefabricated respectively and then attached. Therefore, another glasssubstrate (the color filter glass 110) is required in the aforementionedfabricating process.

To sum up, the conventional process of fabricating the organicelectro-luminescence display requires more glass substrates (forexample, three pieces of the glass substrates are required as shown inFIG. 1). It not only increases the cost, but also the weight andthickness of the display apparatus. In addition, the process of aligningand attaching the organic electro-luminescence devices and the colorfilters is very complicated and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a thinner and cheaperorganic electro-luminescence display adapted to promote its life spanand display quality.

The present invention is also directed to a process of fabricating athinner and cheaper organic electro-luminescence display adapted topromote its life span and display quality.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an organicelectro-luminescence display is disclosed, comprising a substrate, aplurality of organic electro-luminescence devices, a patterned separatorstructure, a first passivation layer and a plurality of color filters,wherein the organic electro-luminescence devices are disposed over thesubstrate. The patterned separator structure is disposed over thesubstrate to separate the organic electro-luminescence devices, whereinthe patterned separator structure is thicker than the organicelectro-luminescence devices. The first passivation layer completelycovers the patterned separator structure and the organicelectro-luminescence devices. The color filters are disposed on thefirst passivation layer and located above the organicelectro-luminescence devices.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an organicelectro-luminescence display is disclosed, comprising a substrate, aplurality of organic electro-luminescence devices, a patterned separatorstructure, a first passivation layer, a plurality of color filters and asecond passivation layer, wherein the organic electro-luminescencedevices are disposed over the substrate. The patterned separatorstructure is disposed over the substrate to separate the organicelectro-luminescence devices, wherein the patterned separator structureis thicker than the organic electro-luminescence devices. The firstpassivation layer completely covers the patterned separator structureand the organic electro-luminescence devices. The color filters aredisposed on the first passivation layer and located above the organicelectro-luminescence devices. And the second passivation layercompletely covers the first passivation layer and the color filters.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a process offabricating an organic electro-luminescence display is disclosed,comprising the following steps. First, a substrate, a plurality oforganic electro-luminescence devices and a patterned separator structureare provided, wherein the organic electro-luminescence devices and thepatterned separator structure are disposed over the substrate. Thepatterned separator structure separates the organic electro-luminescencedevices, and the patterned separator structure is thicker than theorganic electro-luminescence devices. Next, a passivation layer isformed, which completely covers the patterned separator structure andthe organic electro-luminescence devices. And then, the color filtersare formed on the passivation layer, wherein the color filters arelocated above the organic electro-luminescence devices.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processof fabricating the organic electro-luminescence display furthercomprises forming a second passivation layer to completely cover thefirst passivation layer and the color filters.

According to the other embodiment of the present invention, an organicelectro-luminescence display is provided, comprising an organicelectro-luminescence device array, a passivation layer and a pluralityof color filters, wherein the passivation layer completely covers theorganic electro-luminescence device array and the color filters aredisposed on the passivation layer.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the organicelectro-luminescence display further comprises a second passivationlayer to completely cover the first passivation layer and the colorfilters.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the organicelectro-luminescence display comprises the passivation layer between theorganic electro-luminescence devices and the color filters, so thesolvent will not damage the organic electro-luminescence devices whenfabricating the color filters. Compared with the conventional art, thepresent invention, the organic electro-luminescence display and processof fabricating the same, does not require the step of sealing the glasssubstrates onto the organic electro-luminescence devices first beforethe color filters are formed. Therefore the present invention candecrease the number of the glass substrates utilized to reduce thethickness of the display apparatus and thus lower the cost effectively.Further, because the organic electro-luminescence display in the presentinvention utilizes the same substrate to form the organicelectro-luminescence devices and the color filters, the organicelectro-luminescence devices will not be damaged, the fabricatingprocess is simplified and the cost is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conventional back emitting organicelectro-luminescence display.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an organic electro-luminescencedisplay according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are cross sectional views showing a process offabricating organic electro-luminescence display according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an organic electro-luminescencedisplay according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosedbelow, illustrating examples of various possible implementations of theconcepts of the present invention. The following description is made forthe purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention andshould not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention isbest determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the organic electro-luminescencedisplay according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 2, the present invention, an organic electro-luminescencedisplay 200, mainly comprises a substrate 210, a plurality of organicelectro-luminescence devices 220, a patterned separator structure 230, apassivation layer 240 and a plurality of color filters 250.

As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the substrate 210 can be atransparent or non-transparent substrate, which can be made of glass,plastic or flexible materials. In addition, the type of organicelectro-luminescence display 200 can be an active matrix or a passivematrix. When the type of display 200 is an active matrix, the substrate210 can be an active matrix array substrate, such as a thin filmtransistor (TFT) array substrate.

Furthermore, the organic electro-luminescence devices 220 are disposedover the substrate 210. In one embodiment, the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220 comprise a first electrode 222, anorganic luminescent layer 224 and a second electrode 226, wherein thematerials of the electrodes 222, 226 can be transparent ornon-transparent electrical conductive materials. For example, thematerials of the electrodes 222, 226 can be metal, metal-oxide,metal-nitride or metal-oxynitride, wherein the transparent electricalconductive material of the metal-oxide can be indium-tin-oxide (ITO) orindium-zinc-oxide (IZO). And the organic luminescent layer 224 of eachorganic electro-luminescence devices 220 can be white light or othercolors.

With reference to FIG. 2, the patterned separator structure 230 isdisposed over the substrate 210 to separate the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220, wherein the thickness d1 of thepatterned separator structure 230 is greater than thickness d2 of theorganic electro-luminescence devices 220. Because the thicknessdifference between the patterned separator structure 230 and the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220 is so great and the cross-section ofthe patterned separator structure 230 can be an inverted trapezium, theportion of the second electrode 226 over the substrate 210 and that overthe patterned separator structure 230 can be disconnected, wherein thesecond electrode 226 is formed during the sputtering process or otherdeposition process.

In addition, the passivation layer 240 completely covers the patternedseparator structure 230 and the organic electro-luminescence devices220. In one embodiment, the passivation layer 240 can be made oftransparent materials that enable lights to pass through. Thepassivation layer 240 can be made of a compound layer, such as acompound of inorganic layer and a polymeric layer. The process offabricating the passivation layer 240 can be a plasma diffusion process.Through the plasma diffusion process, the complete and connectedpassivation layer 240 can be formed to cover the top and side surfaces230 a, 230 b of the patterned separator structure 230 and to cover theorganic electro-luminescence devices 220. The passivation layer 240 isused to effectively prevent the organic luminescent layer 224 from beingdamaged by the outside moisture or the organic solvent used whenfabricating the color filters 250.

With reference to FIG. 2, the color filters 250 are disposed on thepassivation layer 240 and are located above the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220. In one embodiment, the colors of thecolor filters 250 comprise red, green and blue. By the color filters250, the organic electro-luminescence display 200 can achieve the fullcolor display. With the color filters 250, the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220 can be the same material. Thiseffectively prevents the situation that some materials of theconventional organic electro-luminescence devices may have differentlife spans and fade away in different timing.

Referring to FIG. 2, In one embodiment, the organic electro-luminescencedisplay 200 further comprises another passivation layer 260 tocompletely cover the passivation layer 240 and the color filters 250,wherein the color filters 250 are sealed between the passivation layers240, 260. In addition, the passivation layer 260 can be mixed with thepolymeric material, i.e. parylene or polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE), tofurther prevent the organic electro-luminescence display 200 from beingdamaged by the outside moisture significantly.

Because the organic electro-luminescence devices 220 and the patternedseparator structure 230 of the present invention are completely coveredby the passivation layers 240 and 260, the color filters 250 can bedirectly formed on the passivation layer 240 and the organicelectro-luminescence display 200 can be shielded from moisture byutilized the passivation layer 260 instead of the conventional processwhere the color filters 250 are only formed after the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220 are sealed by a glass substrate.Therefore, compared with the conventional skill, the present inventioncan effectively decrease the number of the glass substrates utilized toreduce the thickness of the display apparatus and the fabricating cost.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are cross sectional views showing a process offabricating organic electro-luminescence display according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, the present invention, theprocess of fabricating organic electro-luminescence display, comprisesthe following steps. First, a substrate 210, a plurality of organicelectro-luminescence devices 220 and a patterned separator structure 230are provided, wherein the organic electro-luminescence devices 220 andthe patterned separator structure 230 are disposed over the substrate210. The patterned separator structure 230 separates the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220, and the thickness d1 of the patternedseparator structure 230 is greater than thickness d2 of the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a passivation layer 240 is formed tocompletely cover the patterned separator structure 230 and the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220. In one embodiment, the process offabricating the passivation layer 240, such as the plasma diffusionprocess, starts when the material of the passivation layer 240 isionized by plasma, and then these ions are diffused onto the organicelectro-luminescence devices 220 and the top and side surfaces 230 a,230 b of the patterned separator structure 230 to form a complete andconnected passivation layer 240. The complete and connected passivationlayer 240 can be a substitute for the glass substrate used inconventional skill to prevent the organic electro-luminescence devices220 from being damaged by the organic solvent.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the color filters 250 are formed on thepassivation layer 240, wherein each of the color filters 250 is locatedabove each of the organic electro-luminescence devices 220. The processof forming the color filters 250 can be an ink printing process. Whenthe light emitted from the organic electro-luminescence devices 220passes through each of the color filters 250, the organicelectro-luminescence display 200 can thereby display full colors.

As shown in FIG. 3D, another passivation layer 260 can furthercompletely cover the passivation layer 240 and the color filters 250,wherein the color filters 250 are sealed between the passivation layers240, 260. Furthermore, the complete and continuous passivation layer 260can be mixed with the polymeric material, i.e. parylene orpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), to further prevent the organicelectro-luminescence display 200 from being damaged by the outsidemoisture significantly.

Because the organic electro-luminescence devices are completely coveredby the passivation layer and then the color filters are formed over thepassivation layer, the present invention can effectively prevent theorganic luminescent layer from contact with the solvent used in theprocess. In addition, compared with the conventional skill, the processof fabricating the organic electro-luminescence devices and the colorfilters over the same substrate in the present invention not onlysimplifies the whole fabricating process but also reduces itsfabricating cost and the thickness of the display apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an organic electro-luminescencedisplay according to another embodiment of the present invention. Theorganic electro-luminescence display 300 comprises an organicelectro-luminescence device array 310, a passivation layer 320 and aplurality of color filters 330.

As shown in FIG. 4, the passivation layer 320 completely covers theorganic electro-luminescence device array 310, and the color filters 330are disposed on the passivation layer 320. In one embodiment, the colorof the organic electro-luminescence device array 310 can be white light,and the types thereof comprise the active matrix or the passive matrix,wherein the active components of the active matrix organicelectro-luminescence device array can be diodes or thin filmtransistors.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the colors of the color filters can bered, green and blue. By mixture and combination of the red, green andblue colors, the organic electro-luminescence display 300 can achievethe full-color display purpose. In addition, the organicelectro-luminescence display 300 further comprises a passivation layer340 to cover the passivation layer 320 and the color filters 330.Wherein, the color filters 330 are sealed between the two passivationlayers 320,340.

To sum up, compared with the conventional skill, the present invention,the organic electro-luminescence display and process of fabricating thesame, has the following advantages.

(1) In the present invention, a passivation layer is formed over theorganic electro-luminescence devices first and then the color filtersare formed on the passivation layer. This process can reduce the numberof the glass substrates used and the thickness of the display apparatus.

(2) The passivation layer being complete and connected, can prevent theorganic electro-luminescence display from being damaged by the moisturein the air and the organic solvents and thus prolongs the life of theorganic electro-luminescence display.

(3) The organic electro-luminescence devices and the color filters areformed over the same substrate in the present invention. This simplifiesthe fabricating process and lowers the cost.

(4) With the color filters, the organic electro-luminescence devices canuse the same material to avoid using the conventional organicelectro-luminescence materials of different life spans, and then thecolor saturation can be kept steady.

The above description provides a full and complete description of theembodiments of the present invention. Various modifications, alternateconstruction, and equivalent may be made by those skilled in the artwithout changing the scope or spirit of the invention. Accordingly, theabove description and illustrations should not be construed as limitingthe scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

1. An organic electro-luminescence display comprising: a substrate; aplurality of organic electro-luminescence devices disposed over thesubstrate; a patterned separator structure disposed over the substrateto separate the organic electro-luminescence devices, wherein thethickness of the patterned separator structure is greater than that ofthe organic electro-luminescence devices; a first passivation layer,completely covering the patterned separator structure and the organicelectro-luminescence devices; and a plurality of color filters disposedon the first passivation layer and located above the organicelectro-luminescence devices.
 2. The organic electro-luminescencedisplay of claim 1, wherein the color filters comprise a plurality ofred color filters, green color filters or blue color filters.
 3. Theorganic electro-luminescence display of claim 1, wherein the type of theorganic electro-luminescence devices comprises a white light organicelectro-luminescence device.
 4. The organic electro-luminescence displayof claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises an active matrix arraysubstrate.
 5. The organic electro-luminescence display of claim 4,wherein the active matrix substrate comprises a thin-film transistor(TFT) array substrate.
 6. The organic electro-luminescence display ofclaim 1, wherein the material of the first passivation layer comprises atransparent material.
 7. The organic electro-luminescence display ofclaim 1, wherein each of the organic electro-luminescence devicescomprises: a first electrode disposed on the substrate; an organicluminescent layer disposed on the first electrode; and a secondelectrode disposed on the organic luminescent layer and covered by thefirst passivation layer.
 8. The organic electro-luminescence display ofclaim 7, wherein the material of the second electrode comprises atransparent electrical conductive material.
 9. The organicelectro-luminescence display of claim 7, wherein the material of thefirst electrode comprises metal.
 10. An organic electro-luminescencedisplay comprising: a substrate; a plurality of organicelectro-luminescence devices disposed over the substrate; a patternedseparator structure disposed over the substrate to separate the organicelectro-luminescence devices, wherein the thickness of the patternedseparator structure is greater than that of the organicelectro-luminescence devices; a first passivation layer, completelycovering the patterned separator structure and the organicelectro-luminescence devices; a plurality of color filters disposed onthe first passivation layer and located above the organicelectro-luminescence devices; and a second passivation layer, completelycovering the first passivation layer and the color filters.
 11. Theorganic electro-luminescence display of claim 10, wherein the colorfilters comprise a plurality of red color filters, green color filtersor blue color filters.
 12. The organic electro-luminescence display ofclaim 10, wherein the type of the organic electro-luminescence devicescomprises a white light organic electro-luminescence device.
 13. Theorganic electro-luminescence display of claim 10, wherein the substratecomprises an active matrix array substrate.
 14. The organicelectro-luminescence display of claim 13, wherein the active matrixsubstrate comprises a thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate. 15.The organic electro-luminescence display of claim 10, wherein thematerial of the first passivation layer comprises a transparentmaterial.
 16. The organic electro-luminescence display of claim 10,wherein each of the organic electro-luminescence devices comprises: afirst electrode disposed on the substrate; an organic luminescent layerdisposed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on theorganic luminescent layer and covered by the first passivation layer.17. The organic electro-luminescence display of claim 16, wherein thematerial of the second electrode comprises a transparent electricalconductive material.
 18. The organic electro-luminescence display ofclaim 16, wherein the material of the first electrode comprises metal.19. A process of fabricating an organic electro-luminescence display,the process comprising: providing a substrate, a plurality of organicelectro-luminescence devices and a patterned separator structure,wherein the organic electro-luminescence devices and the patternedseparator structure are disposed over the substrate, the patternedseparator structure separates the organic electro-luminescence devices,and the thickness of the patterned separator structure is greater thanthat of the organic electro-luminescence devices; forming a firstpassivation layer to completely cover the patterned separator structureand the organic electro-luminescence devices; and forming a plurality ofcolor filters on the first passivation layer, wherein the color filtersare located above the organic electro-luminescence devices.
 20. Theprocess of fabricating organic electro-luminescence display of claim 19,wherein the process of forming the first passivation layer comprises aplasma diffusion process.
 21. The process of fabricating organicelectro-luminescence display of claim 19, further comprising the step offorming a second passivation layer to completely cover the firstpassivation layer and the color filters.
 22. An organicelectro-luminescence display comprising: an organic electro-luminescencedevice array; a first passivation layer completely covering organicelectro-luminescence device array; and a plurality of color filtersdisposed on the first passivation layer.
 23. The organicelectro-luminescence display of claim 22, wherein the color filterscomprise a plurality of red color filters, green color filters or bluecolor filters.
 24. The organic electro-luminescence display of claim 22,wherein the organic electro-luminescence device array comprises a whitelight organic electro-luminescence device array.
 25. The organicelectro-luminescence display of claim 22, wherein the type of theorganic electro-luminescence device array comprises an active matrixarray.
 26. The organic electro-luminescence display of claim 22, whereinthe type of the organic electro-luminescence device array comprises apassive matrix array.
 27. The organic electro-luminescence display ofclaim 22, further comprising a second passivation layer to completelycover the first passivation layer and the color filters.
 28. The organicelectro-luminescence display of claim 22, wherein the material of thefirst passivation layer comprises a transparent material.